Berenice IV

Names
	Berenice IV Epiphaneia

Berenice IV
Berenice IV
Queen of Egypt
Reign	58–55 BC
Successor	Ptolemy XII Auletes
Born	77 BC; Alexandria, Egypt
Died	55 BC; Alexandria, Egypt
Burial	Alexandria, Egypt
Spouse	Seleucus VII Kybiosaktes; Archelaus
Names
Names
	Berenice IV Epiphaneia
House	Ptolemaic dynasty
Father	Ptolemy XII Auletes
Mother	Cleopatra V of Egypt

Berenice IV Epiphaneia (Greek: Βερενίκη, 77–55 BC) born and died in Alexandria, Egypt. She was a Greek Princess of the Ptolemaic dynasty. Berenice was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes and probably Cleopatra V Tryphaena, sister of the famous Cleopatra VII (lover of Roman Triumvirs Julius Caesar and Mark Antony), Arsinoe IV, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. In 58 BC, Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VII fled to Rome in search of political and military aid against Berenice's elder sister Cleopatra VI Tryphaena, who had become far too powerful. After Tryphaena's death in 57 BC, possibly poisoned on behalf of Berenice, she at age 20 became the sole ruler of Egypt due to her father's absence, and with him and Cleopatra absent she had no worry about being overthrown or overpowered and executed.^[1]

As a lone woman ruling Egypt, she was expected to marry and have a man as a co-regent. When she did not, her consuls forced her to marry prince Seleucus VII Kybiosaktes, but she had him strangled and remained as sole ruler.^[2] The public feared the Ptolemic reign would fail to continue due to Berenice's refusal to marry. It is also believed she cared far too much for fashion and luxuries, leading to rising expenses. She later married Archelaus, but he was not co-regent. Archelaus had been appointed to the priesthood at Comana at Cappadocia by Pompey, and claimed to be a son of King Mithridates VI of Pontus. Strabo instead says his father was Archelaus, a general of Mithridates VI in the First Mithridatic War^[3] who defected to the Romans.

The reign of Berenice ended in 55 BC when her father retook the throne with the aid of the Romans led by Aulus Gabinius, and had Berenice beheaded. Archelaus, who according to Strabo had previously had a friendly relationship with Gabinius, died in battle against the forces of Gabinius.^[4]

Ancestry

Ancestors of Berenice IV of Egypt

References

^ Strabo 12.3.34 and 17.1.11
^ Strabo 12.3.34 and 17.1.11
^ Appian Mithrid. 114
^ Plutarch Antony 3.2 - 3.6

Dio Cassius 39.12 - 39.14, 39.55 - 39.58

Preceded by:
Ptolemy XII

Ptolemaic Queen of Egypt
with Cleopatra V

Succeeded by:
Ptolemy XII

[1] Strabo 12.3.34 and 17.1.11

[2] Strabo 12.3.34 and 17.1.11

[3] Appian Mithrid. 114

[4] Plutarch Antony 3.2 - 3.6

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

v t e Hellenistic rulers
Argeads	Philip II Alexander III the Great Philip III Arrhidaeus Alexander IV
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